Swiftwater Rescue for Paddlers
This 2-day Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, are also practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context. Ideally, students should be able to competently maneuver their craft in at least class II whitewater. However all boaters, and non-boaters with an interest in swiftwater rescue (e.g., professional rescuers), will benefit from the class. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time. ACA Safety & Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator, Rescue 3 Rope, Swiftwater, Boat Operations & PWC Instructor Trainer. With more than 20 years of bad judgment on and in the water, Mike Mather is one of the more experienced and entertaining rescue professionals in the industry. Having taught courses all over the U.S. and in Europe, Mike has an unconventional approach to his topics. He excels at keeping topics clear, accessible and applicable for rescue professionals, experienced boaters and novices alike. Whitewater gold medalist Kent Ford described Mike as a "highly skilled person, with a valuable set of skills, including guiding, guide training and broad national experience in swiftwater rescue. His experience level is truly unique on a national level.� A few of the teams Mike has trained to date include: USN Seals, USAF PJs, San Diego lifeguards, Los Angeles lifeguards, FDNY, Eagle County Colorado FD, etc. Mike worked with Horst F�rsattel, the inventor of the rescue PFD in Germany, and tested the rescue harness by having the class haul him up an 8-foot ledge. Mike played the role of the entrapped victim in the film "Heads Up� multiple times and in one instance the rope snagged on the river bottom entrapping him for real. According to some of his peers he is the "Houdini� of swiftwater rescue!
